Onjebonge State Forest
State Reforestation Area Lewis #15
This 1835 acre state forest is named for a nearby pond that has retained the legacy of its original Iroquois language designation. The granite based soils of the area vary from shallow and poor to deep and rich. Much of the topography is moderate to steep, with significant wetlands that are periodically flooded by beaver. The better soils are home to impressive natural hard maple-white ash stands and plantations of red pine-white pine. These better stands are periodically improved by carefully controlled timber harvests conducted by high bidding private contractors under the direction of DEC forestry professionals. Lower quality soils support a diverse combination of rough white pine, red maple, aspen, grey birch, and even the occasional black ash; a species important in basket making. The western border of this forest is the Indian River, which forms a common boundary with the Fort Drum Military Reservation.
Recreational pursuits here include fishing on the Indian River, white-tailed deer and small game hunting, trapping, and woodland hiking and biking. Access is provided by the Alice Coffey Forest access road (2.6 miles) and the Onjebonge (1.0 miles) and Lime Quarry(1.4 miles).
Directions
From Carthage, take State Route 3 north 9.4 miles to Natural Bridge, turn left on Temple Street then to Lewisburg Road. Go 0.3 miles to Arnoldville Road. Turn right and proceed 1 mile.
